Apparatus for filling liquid receptacles



April 11, 193-9. E. L -MAYO 2,154,175

APPARATUS FOR FILLING LIQUID RECEPTACLES Filed April 10, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 SOURCE OF GAS PRESSURE SUPPLY i i; 51 I7 a? i: 14 77 j l O /0 If I. 55

L L w 47 ,Qa /0 INVENTOR.

Edward L. Mayo.

ATTORNEY.

April 11, 1939. E MAYO APPARATUS FOR FILLING LIQUID RECEPTACLES I Filed April 10, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Edward L. Ma Sli Clttorneg Patented Apr. 11, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE APPARATUS FOR FILLING LIQUID RECEPTACLES Application April 10, 1936, Serial No. 73,754

7 Claims.

This invention relates to methods and apparatus for filling liquid receptacles, such as cans and other like large-mouthed receptacles, and more particularly relates to the filling of such receptacles with a carbonated or like beverage.

An object of my invention is to provide an improved method and apparatus for filling cans or like large-mouthed receptacles with beer, carbonated beverage or the like, under conditions of counter-pressure in such a manner as to minimize foaming or release of absorbed gas, and without requiring the insertion in the receptacle of the usual objectionable long liquid displacing filler tube, the use of which is disclosed in the prior patent to Frederick W. Muller, No. 1,919,665,

dated July 25, 1933, and to effect rapidity of filling to a desired predetermined level.

Another object is to provide an improved method and apparatus for eificiently filling cans and other large-mouthed receptacles to a predetermined height of liquid in the receptacle.

Another object is to provide an improved method and apparatus for efiiciently filling cans and like liquid receptacles more rapidly than here- 5. tofore has been possible whereby the maximum number of receptacles may be filled in a minimum of time and all to the same height of liquid in the receptacle.

Another object is to provide, in an apparatus 9 for filling large-mouthed receptacles with liquid,

containing gas absorbed therein, such for example as beer, improved means operating according to an improved method, for introducing the liquid into the receptacle, with a minimum of agitation which otherwise is conducive to the release of gas from solution in the liquid.

Another object is to provide for the efiicient, rapid, and successive filling of a large number of receptacles such as cans and the like, by mecha- 40 nism accomplishing the filling in such a manner that the rate of flow of liquid into the receptacles may be controlled to avoid undue agitation of the liquid to prevent, in the case of carbonated or like liquid such as beer, undue loss of gas from 4 solution.

Another object is to provide, for a liquid receptacle filling method and apparatus of the class in which counter gas pressure is introduced into the receptacle to oppose the fiow of the liquid 50, thereinto, means for efiecting removal of the receptacle from the filling head in an improved manner to prevent the momentary rush of compressed gas above the liquid from the receptacle from splashing liquid out of the receptacle.

55 Another object of my invention is to provide improved apparatus of the type disclosed, wherein association and dissociation of the filling head and receptacle may be rapidly achieved without undue agitation or wastage of the beverage, and without agitating discharge of beverage, rising from a previous receptacle into the head, to a subsequent receptacle to be filled.

Other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which my invention appertains. V

My invention is fully disclosed in the following 10 description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a view illustrating, partly diagrammatically, a can or other large mouthed receptacle filling machine or apparatus and a reservoir 15 of beverage supply and conduit connections and controlling apparatus associated therewith embodying my invention and whereby the method of my invention may be practiced;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view of a 20 part of the machine of Fig, 1 drawn to larger scale and illustrating a valve mechanism shown in elevation in Fig, 1 and which I may employ to control the fiow of liquid to the can to be filled;

Fig. 3 is a partial bottom plan view taken from the plane 3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view of a part of Fig. 2 illustrating an alternative construction.

Referring to the drawings, illustrating merely one embodiment of my invention, I have shown generally at I, a can filling machine standing upon a floor 2, the machine comprising a beverage liquid supply tank 3 in the upper portion thereof. The tank 3 is rotatable with and supported upon a central tubular column l, and rotating power therefor is supplied by a worm and. gear mechanism 6.

A conduit 1 communicates with the interior of the tubular column 5 and interiorly thereof joins with a conduit 8 discharging into the tank 3 and a suitable rotary coupling (not shown) connects the conduit 1 with the conduit 8 whereby the tank 3 and conduit 8 may rotate relatively to the conduit 1,

A disc 9 rotates with the column 4 and supports a plurality of annularly disposed can lift devices l0lll and can filling valve devices ll-l I, the latter being shown separately and to a larger scale in Fig. l. By the construction thus briefly described, it will be apparent that the tank 3 and the entire super structure including the disc 9, can-lift devices l0 and valve devices H are all rotatable as a unit with the tubular column 4.

The operations of the machine, generally, with respect to the mechanical movement transmitted to the cans, the operation of the valve devices II and filling of the cans from liquid in the tank 3 are similar to the operations described in the aforementioned Muller patent and need not be described in complete detail here.

It may suflice to say that generally the cans, two of which are indicated at I2 and I3, are placed on the can lift devices I!)--IIl, a relatively large number of which is provided. The lift devices are arranged to travel in a circular path as.

of the machine where being again depressed from the filling position, they are removed from contact with the filling valve structure I I, which will be described, and are then closed and sealed in any suitable manner well known in the art.

The form of the machine shown in the drawings is one adapted to continuously operate in connection with a continuous succession of cans, the operations" being successive, overlapping and continuous from the time the cans are placed on the lift until they are removed therefrom after being carried in a rotative path around the machine; i

In the following description of parts of the machine and their mode of operation more pertinent to the instant invention, reference will be had chiefly to the filling of a single can considering it as entering the apparatus as indicated at I2 and continuing until the can has been filled and removed from its supporting lift I0.

. The lift devices II! are operated by compressed airsupplied, from a source and in a manner to be described, to a header I 4 rotatable with the other parts of the super structure described and connected by a conduit I5 to the lift device.

The valve device I I, shown separately in Fig. 2, comprises a rotatable valve element I6 rotatable to different successive positions by a crank I! as the latter engages stationary abutments during the rotation of the machine super structure, and may admit air from the header It, the conduit I5 and branch conduit I8, (Figs. 1 and 2) through a valve port I 9 either directly to the lift device III or to atmosphere through a duct 29, to operate the lift device.

A valve and lift device like that herein briefly described and illustrated in simplified form is shown and described more completely in the above-mentioned Muller patent to which reference may be had for a more complete description.

It will be observed, however, that whereas in the said Muller patent, due to the fact that the receptacle is a bottle and that a filling tube is inserted in the bottle by the upward movement of the lifts, the upward and downward strokes of the lifts must effect a relatively great movement, inthe machine under consideration here, the can being relatively short and no tube being inserted thereinto as will appear later, the stroke of the lift may be relatively short and therefore cperated with only a fraction of the time required for the bottle lifts of the said patent.

The valve device II (Fig. 2), comprises a main frame orbody II ll'within' which the rotatable valve element I6 is rotatably mounted. A bored recess III in the body provides a shoulder H2 and a chamber I I3. A plate I I4 is seated on the shoulder and has a depending tubular extension I I5 provided with an axial bore I I6 communicating with the chamber H3. A sealing packing III is seated upon the plate IIQ surrounding the tubular extension II 5, and filling the bore I I I.

A filling head II8 has an upper threaded portion 9 threaded into the bore III and an annular bead extending upwardly therefrom is disposed to be sealingly pressed against the packing I I1. The packing has a depending annular bead I2I formed on the periphery thereof, and engaging the upper end of the filling head II8 whereby upon screwing the head into the bored recess I I I, the packing II'I may be compressed to seal the bore and the plate II4 with respect to the bore passageway H6.

The filling head IE8 has an annular shoulder I22 which may be screwed tight against an opposing annular shoulder on the body I I0 whereby the vertical position of the filling head may be accurately predetermined.

A nozzle piece I23 is threaded on its upper end at I24 which is thereby threaded into corresponding threads on the filling head, a shoulder I25 on the nozzle piece engaging an opposing shoulder on the filling head when the threads are drawn up tight to predetermine the vertical position of the nozzle piece.

A tube I26 is threaded at its upper end into the valve body IIIl communicating with ashort 0011- duit I21 in the body Ill] and depends axially through the passageway IIIS, through a bore I28 in the upper end of the filling head and extending into a smaller bore I29 in the upper end of the nozzle piece I23. Adjacent the lower end of the tube I25 is an annular collar I99. The bore I29 provides a shoulder 20!] upon which is placed a packing washer 20'! surmounted by a metal washer 202.

The parts just described are so proportioned that when the nozzle piece I23 is screwed in on the threads I24 to engage the shoulder I25 with the corresponding shoulder on the filling head, the packing washer 2III will be axially compressed between the annular collar I99 and the shoulder 280 to seal the lower end of the tube I26 with respect to the bored recess I29, the packing washer 2M being laterally expanded thereby to sealingly engage the wall of the bored recess ex ternally of the washer and the tube wall I 26 internally of the washer.

The extreme lower end of the nozzle piece 23 is of frusto-conical form, the outer side wall thereof being preferably upwardly outwardly inclined as at 205 and the extreme lower end being in the transverse plane at right angles to the axis of the nozzle. A passageway 204 extending axially of the nozzle piece and head from the lower end of the tube I26, has its outlet approximately at the center of the planar end 206 of the nozzle piece.

The lower end of the tube I26 below the sealing washer 2M opens into the axially downwardly extending passageway 264, the lower end or mouth of which is disposed centrally of the planar surface 206 of the nozzle piece. Above the frustoconical annular surface 285, the nozzle piece is generally cylindrical as: at 269; above the cylindrical portion 2% the nozzle piece is reduced in diameter as at 2H providing a shoulder ZI I.

The filling head is provided with a depending skirt 2| 2 surrounding the lower portion of the nozzle piece, the skirt being of reduced diameter as at 2I3, providing another shoulder 2M opposite the shoulder 2. The skirt 2I2 is spaced from the cylindrical portion 209 of the nozzle piece, radially, to provide a tubular space therebetween. A resilient compressible packing 2I5, generally tubular but of L-shape in cross-section, is clamped between the shoulders '2I4 and 2H and fills the tubular space between the nozzle piece I 23 and the skirt 2I2; the lower annular end of the packing 2I5 terminates a substantial distance above the face 206 of the nozzle piece so that a substantial extent of conical surface 205 projects downwardly below the lower end of the packing. The skirt 2 I2 terminates downwardly in a downwardly outwardly flaring bell portion 2I6 preferably extending below the face 206 of the nozzle piece.

The nozzle piece I23 is not only centrally bored as at 204 and counter-bored to provide the space I29, but encircling the said bore 204 are provided a plurality of bores, 208, herein illustrated, Fig. 3, as being six in number, the said bores communicating at their upper ends. with the space I I6, above the nozzle piece, and having their lower end portions arranged divergingly as they emerge from the lower lateral surfaces 205 of the nozzle piece to provide discharge ports 222. The discharge ports 222 are disposed closely adjacent the inner wall of a can I2 indicated by dotted lines: in Fig. 2 when in the filling position shown.

The valve II is provided with a plurality of transverse valve bores 26 and 29 which when the valve is rotated to its open position, respectively eifect communication between the interior of the can I2 and the conduits 2I9 and 28 as follows. The valve bore 26 being rotated to a position at right angles to that shown in Fig. 2 makes the passageway consisting of the bore portions 2I0 and 2H continuous and interconnects the interior of the beverage tank 3 with the joined spaces H3 and H6 above the nozzle piece I23 and therefore permits beverage to flow from the beverage tank 3 through the beverage dispensing passages 208 against the closely adjacent upper portions of the inner surfaces of the can I2.

At the same time, rotation of the valve bore 29 to a position at right angles to that shown in Fig. 2 interconnects the interior of the counterpressure head 21 to the nozzle bore 204 communicating with the central portion of the can interior, this being effected by the intermediate conduit portions 28, 2I8, the valve bore 29, tube I25 and said nozzle bore 204.

The packing 2I5, above referred to, is preferably m-ade from rubber, sponge rubber, or other highly compressible material whereby pressure applied to the lower annular edge thereof may move said edge upwardly into the annular space described above in which the packing is disposed; and if desired, recesses: 220 may be provided in the skirt H2 and recesses 22I may be provided in the adjacent portions of the nozzle piece I23, see Fig. 4, into which the rubber, upon being compressed, may retreat whereby a relatively great vertical movement of the lower annular edge of the packing will be accomplished. In the operation to be described, the can or other receptacle has its open or mouth end presented to the annular edge of the packing 2I5 and upon being lifted applies: pressure thereon, sealing the mouth of the can and by continued movement after seal is effected, the upper or mouth end of the can will carry the annular edge of the packing upwardly into the annular space described for a purpose to be more fully set forth hereinafter.

In the operation of the valve device above described, when the can is lifted as above referred to, the upper or mouth end thereof is guided, first by the bell H6 and later by the frusto-conical surface 205 into engagement with the lower annular edge 2I5 of the packing; and by continued upward movement compresses the packing axially causing it to retreat upwardly into the annular space in which it is placed, the can mouth following it and maintaining the seal thereon. This causes the nozzle piece I23 and particularly the lower end portions thereof to project into the can and displace a substantial part of the volume thereof.

In Fig. 2 the can I2 is indicated in the position in which it first engages at its open end the packing H5.

The can is now ready to be filled with liquid or beverage from the tank 3 and the valve i6 is turned toa corresponding position which opens the port 26 in the valve, effecting communication between the interior of the tank and the can as described above, the liquid being directed by the inclination of the passageway 208 to impinge upon. the inner wall of the can and follow it downwardly thereover. At the same time air or other gas is admitted from the header 2! to the can interior, as described above.

As will be more fully explained, liquid in the supply tank 3 is under pressure of gas above the liquid level; also the air or gas pressure applied to the interior of the can I2 from the header 2'! as just described is adjustable in value. In the preferred practice of my invention, the pressure thus applied to the interior of the can is maintained slightly in excess of the pressure in the tank above the liquid, so that the resulting motivating force which causes liquid to flow from the tank into the can is the hydraulic head of liquid in the conduit system through which the liquid flows, plus the pressure in the tank above the liquid and minus the pressure in the can, which,

as will be clear, is somewhat less than the force of gravity or the hydraulic head on the l quid. The liquid is thus caused to flow into the can at the start of the filling operation. with a relatively rapid movement determined by the tank pressure and counter-pressure as above referred to, and the rate of filling continues substantially constant as the level of liquid rises in the can until the liquid reaches the face 205 of the nozzle piece. From this point the liquid rises in the passageway 204 decreasing the effective hydraulic head of the liquid. The counter-pressure is preferably so adjusted in a manner to be explained that when the liquid has risen to a predetermined level in the passageway 25%, the hydraulic head will be sufficiently reduced so that the counterpressure will balance the hydraulic head plus the tank pressure and the liquid will stop flowing.

It will be observed that the liquid will flow into the can at the same rate from the time it starts until it reaches the face 206 of the filling nozzle, and thus the rate of filling a can or other receptacle of a given depth will be greater than in those systems in which a filling tube or the like is projected into the receptacle to a point adjacent the bottom thereof and in which the hydraulic head begins to decrease from the time the can begins to fill.

As will now be apparent, the counter-pressure in the can, which as will be explained is adjustable, allows the can to fill at the maximum rate permissible without undue agitation of the liquid flowing thereinto and causes the flow to stop when the level has risen a suitable distance above the face 206 of the nozzle piece.

The can having been filled, the valve l5 may now be turned to shut off the ports 26 and 29 and to open the port I9 above referred to to operate the can lift device IE] to lower the can. At this time, as will be understood, the space above the liquid in the can and the space in the air passageway 234 is under the pressure of the counter-pressure air or gas supplied thereto. If therefore the upper edge or mouth of the can were to be suddenly withdrawn from the packing 2l5, the sudden expansion of the air or gas in the can would be in the nature of an explosion and would cause beer or foam therefrom to be blown out of the can. By the construction above described, however, as the can is moved downwardly, the lower annular edge of the packing follows the can downwardly, maintaining the seal thereof while the material of the packing expands to its normal form, which movement relatively withdraws the nozzle piece I23 out of the can thereby increasing the volume of the space in the can above the liquid and consequently reducing the pressure therein. By suitably proportioning the parts and the relative retractive movement of the filling parts within the can as just referred to, the pressure in the can may be restored substantially to atmospheric pressure at the time the can edge leaves the packing 2l5 whereby loss of liquid will be completely prevented.

The small amount of liquid in the passageway 234 will flow outwardly therefrom into the can as the nozzle piece I23 is withdrawn. Liquid in the passageways 208, however, will not flow thereoutof, being retained therein and in the liquid passageways above the same inasmuch as the upper end of the passageway 21! is closed off and the liquid conduit filling system therebelow is filled with liquid and the mouth of the passageway 238 is subjected to atmospheric pressure. When the can reaches the bottom of its movement, it will be slightly below the lower end of the bell EMS and may be removed in the operation of the machine.

As will now be apparent, cans filled as above described may have the liquid level therein as near to the mouth of the can as desired. Preferably, however, a small air space is left at the top of the can to facilitate closing and sealing the same for well known reasons. It will also be apparent that the receptacle such as a can may be filled in the minimum of time inasmuch as the liquid flows thereinto rapidly and at a constant rate until near the end of the filling opera tion.

The compressed air header I4 is supplied with compressed air through a conduit 33 carried through the tank 3 and communicating with a radial arm 34 on a rotary coupling device shown generally at 35, to be described. The header 2'! in the tank 3 communicates by a conduit or pipe 35 with a vertical pipe 3! in the tank 3, which passes outwardly through the tank and communicates with a radially disposed arm 38 on the device 35. A third arm 39 on the device communicates with the interior of the tank 3 by a short conduit 49) at the top or cover M of the tank.

The rotary coupling device 35 comprises a cylindrical body 4| adapted to rotate with the tank within stationary couplings 42, 43, 44 telescoped and sealed thereon, and each of the couplings communicating interiorly with external stationary conduits 45, 46, 41 respectively. An internal duct in the body 4| communicates at one end with the coupling 42 and through the arm 34 with the conduit 33; and an internal duct communicates with the coupling 43 and the duct 40; and an internal duct communicates with the coupling 44 through the arm 38 with the conduit 31.

Thus, open communication is at all times maintained between the conduits 45, 46 and 41, and the conduit 33 supplying compressed air to the head l4, and the conduit 40 communicating with the tank 3 and the conduit 31 supplying air or gas under pressure to the head 2'! respectively, and. during rotation of the tank and its superstructure as described relative to the conduits 45, 46 and 41.

The couplings 42, 43 and 44 may be sealed on the cylindrical body 4! in any suitable manner as for example by pressing the couplings together by a compression spring 48 under a nut 49 on the body. This construction may be variously modified and does not constitute an essential part of my present invention.

The foregoing description applies particularly to the can filling machine proper and there will now be described means for continuously supplying liquid to the tank 3 to replace that which flows into the cans and for maintaining the liquid in the tank 3 at substantially a constant level and at a predetermined pressure of gas above the liquid surface in the tank; and for establishing the liquid level and tank pressure upon starting up the machine.

The tank 3 at a point well above the desired level of liquid and preferably in the cover 4| thereof is provided with a pressure gauge 50. Laterally of the tank 3 a liquid level indicating gauge 5! of the conventional glass tube type is provided communicating with the interior of the tank above and below the desired level. Within the tank a float valve is provided comprising a float 52 in the liquid, adapted, upon rising with a rise of liquid level, to close a valve port at 53 in the upper end of a pipe 54 which pipe extends downwardly through the bottom of the tank, and below the tank is provided with a vent valve 55 manually operable.

The conduit 46 which communicates with the interior of the tank through the conduit 40 as described, connects by a conduit 55 with a conduit 51 which is connected to a source of gas pressure supply, The pressure supply may be a supply of compressed air provided by a pump or other means; or it may be a supply of other gas under pressure, such for example as carbon-db oxide. The conduit 56 may be manually controlled by a valve 58 and a supplemental gauge 59 may be provided in the line of the conduit 58 if desired.

The conduit 1 above described has in the line thereof amanually operable valve 60. The conduit l continues along the fioor 2, downwardly therethrough as at 6|, to a basement or lower floor of the building in which the machine is installed and connects to a conduit 62 which communicates with the interior of a plurality such as two large capacity reservoirs or tanks, commonly known in this art as government tanks, B353. The communication with the tanks 63 is effected preferably at a point relatively low in the tanks but not at the bottom thereof whereby dregs may accumulate on the bottom of the tanks without being discharged out through the conduit 62.

At an upper portion of each reservoir 63, a

conduit 65 is connected, communicating with the interior of the tank through a manually operable valve 66; and connected with the conduit 65 is a conduit 61 passing upwardly through the floor 2 and joining a conduit 58, which is connected to the conduit 51.

In the line of the conduit 68 is connected 2:. compensator valve device, indicated generally at 69. Communicating with the device 69 is also a counter-pressure conduit l9 joining the conduit 46 and thus communicating with the interior of the tank 3 at 40. The compensator valve device 59 will be referred to again later.

The reservoirs or government tanks 5353 are filled, or substantially filled, with beer or liquid to be bottled, and when the liquid has all been discharged therefrom and bottled in a manner to be described, these tanks are disconnected from the system and cleaned out to remove the dregs from the bottom thereof and are then re-filled from a manufactured supply. A cycle of operations for the can filling machine is thus established determined by the joint capacity of the tanks 33. At the end of this cycle, the canning machine must either be shut down or the conduits l and ti l must be disconnected and connected to another set of tanks 63 to start a new cycle.

At the beginning of each cycle it is necessary or desirable to establish initially or re-establish the liquid level and pressure in the tank 3, and this operation will now be described in connection with the apparatus above referred to.

The rotation of the tank 3 is stopped and all of the valves l5 are turned to the off position manually. The valve 53 in the conduit line I is closed and the pressure supplied to the tanks v(i3 is closed, either by a valve H or a valve 12 in the conduit line 68.

After the tanks 53 have been cleaned out and re-fi1led or connections have been made to a supplemental set of tanks, the valve 58 in the conduit line 55 is opened admitting the pressure of the supply of air or gas therethrough to the conduit whereby the pressure is communicated to the conduit it and the conduit 43 to the interior of the tank 3, The pressure in the tank is thus permitted to increase until it indicates a predetermined pressure such as six pounds on the gauge 50. The valve 58 may then be closed. The valve H or E2, or both, are then opened to admit the supply pressure to the tanks 63 above the liquid therein. The valve 50 is then slowly opened and beer is forced out of the tanks 63 upwardly through the conduits l and 8 into the tank 3.

It is assumed that at this time the level of the liquid in the tank 3 is below the normal predetermined desired level and therefore the float 52 is in a lowered position which holds open the valve port 53. As the liquid flows into the tank 3 its rising level is indicated on the gauge 5|. To insure that it will rise to the correct level, the vent 55 is partly opened manually to allow some of the gas in the tank to escape and to be replaced by liquid. When a desired level has been reached, the float 52 closes the valve port 53 and then the vent 55 is opened its full amount for subsequent release purposes. Venting at the vent 55 ceases when liquid has reached its correct level. The rising level of liquid in the tank 3 tends to increase the pressure above its surface as indicated on the gauge 53. Until the predetermined level is reached, the gas above the liquid may escape through the vent 55 so that regardless of the pressure above the liquid, the liquid will continue to rise to the predetermined level. But in all cases and at all times, the pressure in the tank above the liquid is prevented from rising from the predetermined value such as six pounds regardless of the value of the pressure externally applied to the reservoirs 63, by the compensator valve device 59.

Upon establishing the predetermined level in the tank and at the predetermined pressure, the machine may be revolved and the canning process resumed. As the liquid rises in the tank 3, the air which was introduced thereinto is displaced by gas emanating from the beer, carbonated beverage or like liquid supplied to the tank. Thus the space in the tank above the liquid is cut off from contact with contaminating air, when the source of pressure supply is compressed air.

The compensator valve device 69 may be of any suitable construction but preferably I employ the construction illustrated and described in the Muller Patent No. 2,020,849, November 12, 1935, the compensator valve device of that patent being illustrated therein separately in Fig. 2 and shown also in Fig. 1 of that patent associated with a system similar in some respects to that herein illustrated and described, and reference may be had to that patent for a complete description of the compensator device 69 of this application.

In operation of the compensator device 69, if the pressure in the tank 3 above the liquid, which pressure is transmitted to the device from the tank through the conduit 40 and conduit 10 exceeds the predetermined pressure, such as six pounds, the supply of pressure from the conduit 51 to the reservoirs 63-63 will be cut off by the device 69 and supply of liquid to the tank 3 will stop. If the pressure in the tank 3 correspondingly should fall, the device 69 will admit pressure to the reservoir 63 and supply more liquid to the tank 3 which, in turn, tends to compress the gas above the liquid and raise the pressure thereof to correspondingly prevent the addition of more liquid when the predetermined desired level has been reached.

The drawing of liquid from the tank 3 to fill the cans in the operation of the machine tends to reduce the pressure above the liquid in the tank and this, by means of the compensator valve 69-, effects the application of pressure to the reservoirs 63-63 to elevate more liquid into the tank 3 and restore the pressure therein. In practice the regulation is accomplished continuously so that the level in the tank and the pressure thereabove are maintained substantially constant.

If, due to any extraneous cause, pressure in the tank 3 above the liquid should increase in spite of the fact that outside pressure was out off from the reservoirs 53 by the conpensator valve, the liquid would tend to fall slightly, and, through the action of the float 52, would open the valve port 53 and vent some of the pressure through the vent valve 55 to restore the predetermined pressure. If, similarly, due to any extraneous cause, the pressure in the tank above the liquid should decrease, the compensator valve would effect application of pressure to the reservoirs 6333 to restore the pressure in the tank 3 but at a higher level than the desired level. This could be counteracted by admitting gas under pressure into the conduits 56-10 by momentarily opening the valve 58 to restore the liquid toits former predetermined level and then again shutting off the valve .58 after which the apparatus will operate as described to maintain the level and pressure in the tank 3.

The changes of pressure inthetank 3 by the referred to extraneous causes do not occur in the ordinary operation of theapparatus and when once the system is put into operation, it will operate over long periods of time maintaining the pressure and level in the tank 3 substantially constant. They are only mentioned here to show that the apparatus and system are operable to correct abnormal conditions which might arise.

The elements of the system and apparatus for applying counter-pressure to the interiors of the cans will now be described. A regulator device, shown generally at I06 in Fig. 1 is connected to the conduits I6 and 4'! and to a conduit I communicating with the pressure supply of air or other gas 51 in connection with the following construction.

The regulator valve device I06 may be of any suitable construction. One suitable form is that illustrated and described in the Muller Patent No. 2,012,247, August 20, 1935, wherein a counterpressure regulating device is shown separately in Fig. 2 and is shown in Fig. 1 associated with a system similar in some respects to that illustrated and described therein. Reference may be had thereto for a complete description.

In the operation of the regulator device I06 in connection with the apparatus of Fig. 1 at the time of starting up the apparatus, air or other gas under pressure from the conduit 51 is admitted to the conduit I 05 and flows into and through the conduit 4! to the header 2'! for application of pressure to can interiors as above described. The incoming gas or air causes an accumulation of pressure in the counter-pressure system just referred to and when it reaches a predetermined value, the device I 06 shuts off further increase of counter-pressure.

The device I06 causes the predetermined value of counter-pressure to be greater by a predetermined amount than the gas pressure above the liquid in the tank communicated to the device I06 by the conduit 66-10. In this way, the counterpressure may always be greater than the tank 'gas pressure by any predetermined amount which can be varied by adjusting the device I06.

In the operation of the can filling machine above described, when the liquid flowing into the cans forces the counter-pressure gas out of the cans, the air or gas in the counter-pressure system, being discharged thereinto from a succession of cans, accumulates and causes the counter- Pressure to increase. This, as will now be understood, causes the counter-pressure device I66 to vent counter-pressure or can air to the atmosphere to lower or restore the counter-pressure to its desired predetermined value.

Normally the can filling machine may operate over substantial periods of time without the admission of additional counter-pressure air by the device I06 and may continuously or intermittently discharge excess can air to the atmosphere. Should the tank pressure above the liquid therein increase due to any extraneous cause, it will cause the device I06 to admit more air to the counterpressure system to maintain the predetermined pressure therein. Similarly, should the tank gas pressure decrease due to any extraneous cause, the excess of counter-pressure will cause the device I06 to vent a part thereof to establish the predetermined counter-pressure.

As will now be understood from the foregoing description, in the operation of the machine as a whole, the interior of a can such as the can I2 is first subjected to pressure of air or other gas in the header 2'! and then, as the liquid flows from the tank 3 into the can, the gaseous contents of the can are forced out and back into the header 21. Thus there is a tendency for pressure to accumulate in the conduit system 2'I4I and a tendency for the can pressure to increase. This will operate the regulator device I06 to stop the supply of pressure through the conduit I05 from the outside source. To prevent the accumulation of pressure occasioned by adding the can air to the system, it may be vented to the atmosphere from the device I06. On the other hand, to maintain the can pressure to prevent its decreasing, the regulator l06 may admit pressure from the outside source.

By adjusting the regulator I06, the counter or can pressure may be adjusted to regulate the rate at which liquid flows into the can and the height of liquid to which the can fills.

Both the regulator I06 and the compensator device 69 are controlled in their operation by pressure from the tank 3 in the conduit I to maintain the said relation between the counterpressure and the pressure in the tank 3.

It will further appear that not only can the rate of flow of liquid into the can be adjustably' regulated to regulate the time and height of filling, but when once predetermined will remain fixed so that all cans successively will be filled in the same length of time, whereby the machine as a whole may be operated at the maximum rate without danger that some cans will be insufliciently filled and others filled too full.

Furthermore, at all rates of filling, agitation of the liquid and loss of gas is reduced to the minimum by the application of the counterpressure and by directing the stream of liquid in a downwardly outwardly inclined direction against the wall of the can, in an unbroken stream.

My invention is not limited to the exact method illustrated and described herein nor to the exact details of construction whereby the method may be practiced, inasmuch as many modifications and changes may be made within the scope and spirit of my invention without sacrificing its advantages;

I claim:

1. In a receptacle filling apparatus, a filler body comprising a head having a nozzle provided with an end portion for insertion into the mouth of a receptacle to be filled, sealing means for sealing the mouth of the receptacle upon the head, valve controlled liquid and gas conduit means in the body for conducting liquid to the nozzle and for conducting from the nozzle receptacle gas displaced by the liquid, a gas passageway extending longitudinally through the nozzle and terminating at one end in a receptacle gasreceiving orifice at the said nozzle end portion, a walled conduit sealedly communicating at one end with the other end of said gas passageway and at its opposite end with the gas conduit means, a plurality of outwardly laterally diverging liquid passageways in the nozzle extending longitudinally therethrough in radially spaced relation to the said gas passageway and each terminating at one end in a receptacle filling orifice at the said nozzle end portion and at the other end opening into a chamber, said chamber surrounding said walled conduit and communicating with the said liquid conduit means.

2. An apparatus substantially as described in Iii claim 1, wherein the portions of the liquid passageways in the nozzle piece disposed immediately adjacent the orifices therefor are pointed through said orifices toward a lateral wall of the receptacle to be filled and said orifices being disposed closely adjacent said wall, the gas-receiving orifices being disposed radially inwardly of said liquid passageway orifices.

3. An apparatus substantially as described in claim 1, wherein the portions of the liquid passageways in the nozzle piece disposed immediately adjacent the orifices therefor are pointed through said orifices toward a lateral wall of the receptacle to be filled and said orifices being disposed closely adjacent said wall, the gas-receiving orifices being disposed radially inwardly of said liquid passageway orifices, said nozzle end received into the receptacle mouth having inwardly tapered walls proceeding toward its extreme end, said liquid passageway orifices terminating in said tapered walls, said gas passageway orifices disposed in the end wall of said nozzle end portion and substantially radially inwardly of said tapered walls.

4. In a receptacle filling apparatus, a filler body comprising a valve, liquid conduit means, gas conduit means, said valve establishing and cutting on flow in the liquid and gas conduit means, a liquid cavity in the body communicating with the liquid conduit means, a filling head comprising generally tubular outer nozzle element sealed upon the cavity mouth and having a liquid passageway therethrough communicating at one end with the cavity, a nozzle piece within the outer nozzle element sealed upon the outer end of the passageway, said nozzle piece having formed therein and extending therethrough a plurality of liquid ducts, said ducts communicating at their inner ends with the passageway and at their outer ends terminating in an annular series of receptacle-filling liquid orifices, said nozzle piece also having formed therein and extending therethrough a gas duct surrounded by the said liquid ducts, opening at one end in a receptacle gas receiving orifice within the said series of liquid orifices and at the other end sealed upon a conduit additional to the gas conduit means and extending sealedly through the liquid passageway and through the liquid cavity and communicating with the said gas conduit means.

5. In a receptacle filling apparatus, a filler body comprising a valve, liquid conduit means, gas conduit means, said valve establishing and cutting off fiow in the liquid and gas conduit means, a liquid cavity in the body communicating with the liquid conduit means, a generally tubular outer nozzle element sealed upon the cavity mouth and having a liquid passageway therethrough communicating at one end with the cavity, a nozzle piece within the outer nozzle element sealed upon the outer end of the passageway and having liquid ducts extending therethrough and communicating at their inner ends with the passageway and at their outer ends terminating in receptacle-filling liquid orifices, said nozzle piece also having formed therein and extending therethrough a gas duct radially inwardly of the said liquid ducts and opening at one end in a receptacle gas receiving orifice disposed radially inwardly of the said liquid orifices and at the other end sealed upon a conduit additional to the gas conduit means and extending sealedly through the liquid passageway and through the liquid cavity and communicating with the said gas conduit means.

6. In a receptacle filling apparatus, a filler body comprising a valve, liquid conduit means, gas conduit means, said valve establishing and cutting off flow in the liquid and gas conduit means, a liquid cavity in the body communicating with the liquid conduit means, a generally tubular outer nozzle element sealed upon the cavity mouth and having a liquid passageway therethrough communicating at one end with the cavity, a nozzle piece within the outer nozzle element sealed upon the outer end of the passageway, a plurality of liquid ducts extending through the nozzle piece and communicating at the inner ends thereof with the passageway, and at their outer ends terminating in an annular series of receptacle-filling liquid orifices, said nozzle piece also having formed therein and extending therethrough a gas duct surrounded by the said liquid ducts, opening at one end in a receptacle gas receiving orifice within the said series of liquid orifices and at the other end sealed upon a conduit additional to the gas conduit means and extending sealedly through the liquid passageway and through the liquid cavity and communicating with the said gas conduit means, the nozzle piece being spaced inwardly from the outer nozzle element, and a compressible packing therebetween upon which the end of a receptacle may be yieldingly sealed to dispose a portion of the nozzle piece and the said orifices inwardly of the receptacle mouth.

"I. In a receptacle filling apparatus, a filler body comprising a valve, liquid conduit means and gas conduit means, both controlled by said valve, a liquid cavity in the filler body commu- K inner ends with the passageway and at their outer ends terminating in an annular series of receptacle-filling liquid orifices, said nozzle piece also having formed therein and extending therethrough a gas duct surrounded by the said liquid ducts and opening at one end in a receptacle-gas receiving orifice within the said series of liquid orifices and at the other end sealed upon a conduit which extends through the liquid passageway and through the liquid cavity and which communicates with the said gas conduit means.

EDWARD LEVY MAYO.

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